Two cops charged with theft

Two police officers allegedly connived with three others and stole 723 grammes of gold worth more than US$35 000 from a mining consultant.

Lawrence Mateva (24) and Richard Majome (29) are jointly charged with Dilesh Nguwaya (29), a former member of the police special constabulary, and two civilians - Ishmael Kahwema (29) and Taurai Chitapa (26).

Mateva and Majome are stationed at Mabelreign Police Station.

The five were yesterday brought before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei charged with theft.

They were granted US$100 bail each and were ordered to report once a week at CID minerals and to continue residing at their given addresses until the matter is finalised.

Mr Ndirowei remanded them to April 19.

Mr Tafadzwa Hungwe of Venturas and Samukange law firm is acting for Mateva, Majome and Nguwaya while Mr Rungano Mahuni is representing Kahwema and Chitapa.

Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on March 10, the gang got information from Connoly Kaundi, a manager at Shangrila Restaurant, that Stephen Francis, a consultant at Decade Mine, was in possession of 723 grammes of gold.

It is alleged they also got to know that Francis wanted to sell the gold at Shangrila Restaurant.

They ordered them to drive to Harare Central Police Station while the other car followed behind.

The vehicles stopped near KG VI and Francis was ordered to disembark on the pretext he had been freed, it is alleged.

The gang drove away with the gold, the court heard.

A police investigation led to the arrest of Kahwema and Chitapa who then implicated the other three.